Sometimes the truth hurts — especially when it comes to television ratings. After three seasons, FOX has cancelled Lie to Me.
Starring Tim Roth, Lie to Me revolves around Cal Lightman and members of The Lightman Group. They’re a team of specialists who help law enforcement agencies uncover the truth by using applied psychology. Others in the cast include Kelli Williams, Brendan Hines, Monica Raymund, Hayley McFarland, and Mekhi Phifer.
Last season, Lie to Me averaged a 2.9 rating in the all-important 18-49 demographic and 8.03 million total viewers. That was down from season one and the series found itself on the bubble for renewal. FOX ended up giving the TV series another chance and renewed it for 13 episodes.
Unfortunately, season three didn’t perform nearly as well as season two. It premiered last October to a 2.1 rating in the demo and 5.86 million. Viewership eroded in subsequent weeks and FOX declined to give the show a full season order. Lie to Me then hit a new series low in January, registering a meager 1.5 rating and 5.43 million viewers.
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In its final weeks on the air, viewers seemed to rally behind it and Lie to Me had its best ratings of the season — a 2.5 in the demo and 7.67 million.
Though the ratings had come way down, FOX execs claimed that they still valued the TV series and saw it as a solid utility player. Showrunner Alex Cary said, “Fox has been very clear with us — they know what the show is, they know what it can do. [The ratings bump] shows that people will come watch the show.”
Now, after three seasons on the air, the series is over. FOX has officially cancelled Lie to Me after 48 episodes. All of the installments have aired. Though there are too few episodes for a traditional syndication package, the first two seasons have already been released on DVD.
What do you think? Should Lie to Me have been renewed for season four?
Image courtesy FOX.
Lie To Me is amazing! Not your normal “catch the killer” drivel. Seriously, how many CSI’s does the world need!
This is 1 of many great shows that FOX have cancelled. At first i could not fathom out why, then i clicked one day and realized that it’s all to do with ratings. A TV network gets its highest viewer ratings when a new show premieres, and this makes the network lot’s cash…..but as the shows grow older i.e into season 2, the advertizing for it seems to diminish, they cut the show off for 2 or 3 weeks, and do it at least twice a year, sometimes like with Fringe taking it off the air for 2 months. This… Read more »
I regret not seeing this show when it came out. I just got through all 3 seasons in less than 2 weeks. I could not let it go. The shows were well written, directed and most of all the actors were incredible.
If the show comes back I will see it this time, not only me, my entire family.
I REALLY WANT THIS SHOW BACK
It was amazing and I’m sad that its over.
Tim roth is amazing
absolutely amazing show!! please let there be another season!
I totally agree with the previous comments. I’ve been watching it non stop on Netflix for the past two weeks and just got to the last episode only to find there weren’t any more. I think this is silly, Lie to Me is, in my opinion, one of the best shows on TV. It’s original, quirky, brilliantly funny, and clever. It is also extremely addictive which is another reason why I NEED series 4 to come out. I also think it is slightly strange/unfair that it was left on such a cliffhanger (Lightman admitting his love for Foster, finally, and… Read more »
Please bring back lie to me, I’ve only recently saw this on Netflix and I am now an addict. Only to find out that there will be no season four.
Great cast, great story lines makes you want to find out more.
Marketing guys where are you? If you don’t advertise good series like this. People like me only find out too late to support it 🙂
Wow, that’s sad. Just finished all three seasons on Netflix and loved it! Looked up the show on google to see when the next season was coming out and on what channel. Only to find out it was canceled over a year ago due to ratings. I never even heard about the show or saw a single advertisement for it. I know quite a few people that have watched all three seasons on Netflix. I remember on Facebook I put, “what tv series should I watch on netflix?” There were 6 comments for Lie To Me so I gave it… Read more »
I find it absolutely disgusting when a show with some much potential and unique quality is cut short. I frankly would have started watching the series from the show if there had been more advertising to the times and days the show was aired. By now Lie to Me will have a huge fan base of all those who found out about it after it already has been cancelled, I have a feeling that if they were to start up a season 4 trial to see how the rating supported with a good amount of advertising. Well then Fox would… Read more »
I was wondering why the show had been cancelled, and am unsurprised to find out that it was due to ratings– not because the show wasn’t good enough for these ratings, but rather because I, alone, didn’t know what this show was, or on what channel it played, until this year. A friend suggested the series to me and I eagerly watched all three seasons within 2 days, and hate to think I will never see a fresh Lie to Me case! But, if there is another go-around with this series, FOX should do a little more marketing, maybe? I… Read more »
Its a joke like all these shows getting canceled by fox i hate and there all great shows
I’ve been watching Lie to me on netflix I looooove this Show, I went to look when season four comes out and it said the sow was canceled. OMG !!!! Pleeaaaase bring it back :'( if not fox I hope USA or FX or even HBO just please bring it back the show is brilliant!!!!!
Amazing show!!! Hope they bring it back.
BRING IT BACK!!! Seriously I need more Lie to me!!
Damn Fox…
This is some bullcrap Iam at the third season and I have found out that Lie TO ME got cancelled!!!!?
This is ridiculous!!! stop airing dumbass show that only entoxicate people’s minds and put Lie to me back for its 4th season so people can enjoy a clean show without stupid blondes sex and their relationships with dumbasses…. Stop canceling shows because of stupid reasons…..in the end fox will still always have money and canceling this show isn’t gonna change fox’s income!!!!
I seriously cant understand why they had to cancel the show!!!
I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED!!
I REALLY HOPE THEY CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!
I don’t understand how they can keep pointless other shows on live over this show when this one really had it meaning to it and something you can actually learn from!!!!